Effect of Virtual Reality on Labor Pain intensity, Duration of the first stage, Anxiety and Satisfaction levels among Primigravidae

Background: Labor pain is a highly distressing physical sensation that women experience during their lifetime. Over 90% of women undergoing childbirth experience symptoms of tension-anxiety-pain syndrome. Virtual reality (VR) is a non-pharmacological approach utilized to alleviate pain. Aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of virtual reality on labor pain intensity, duration of the first stage, anxiety, and satisfaction levels among primigravidae. Design: A quasi-experimental design. Setting: This study was conducted at the labor and delivery unit of Sherbin Central Hospital, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of 112 laboring women. Tools: Data was collected through four tools, A structured Interview Schedule, A Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), A partograph, a State-Anxiety scale (STAI Form Y-1), and a Virtual Reality Satisfaction questionnaire. Results: This study found no statistically significant difference regarding labor pain intensity and anxiety level before intervention among the virtual reality (VR) and the control group, while there was a highly statistically significant difference regarding labor pain intensity & anxiety level after the first intervention on (4-5cm cervical dilation) and the second intervention on (6-7cm cervical dilation) between the former and the latter group P ≤0.05. In addition, No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in relation to the duration of the active phase of the first stage of labor after intervention (P= 0.064 ), but this value in the VR group was lower than that of the control group. Moreover, laboring women in the intervention group (VR) were more satisfied by using virtual reality. Conclusion: This study concluded that virtual reality application during the active phase of the first stage of labor significantly reduced labor pain intensity and anxiety level as well as decreased duration of the active phase of the first stage of labor. It also achieved satisfaction of laboring women with using it. Recommendations: Trials for including virtual reality as a one of routine hospital care during childbirth to improve the childbirth experience.